Feb. 7 letters to the editor

Over the course of the past 60 years, Congress has approved a budget resolution and the requisite appropriations bills on time for a total of only four years.

No Budget, No Pay is a historic and unprecedented piece of legislation -- if Congress fails to pass a budget on time, lawmakers will work without pay until they pass a budget. Congress has often voted to increase its own salaries but never have members acted to have their pay suspended should they fail to do their job.

No Budget, No Pay is about to become law. If your congressman or senator voted for it, say thank you. Elected officials are often criticized for their vote, a simple thank you goes a long way.

Encourage your member of Congress to support other nonpartisan legislation, join the movement at www.NoLabels.org.

Bridget Monohan

Fremont

Put the blame where it belongs -- on NRA

After reading so many moronic letters from right-wing firearm fanatics, I felt compelled to put the blame where it belongs.

The National Rifle Association has spent millions of dollars to keep assault weapons in our society. Why is that? Because it doesn't want gun control or restrictions of any kind.

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The military needs assault weapons as does law enforcement. To think that the government shouldn't have the monopoly on all assault weapons is just utter stupidity. If the good ol' boy network -- that is, of course, the NRA -- had its way, we would be living in an 1875 society where everyone strapped on a sidearm or owned a shotgun. Law enforcement was almost nonexistent in the Western territory at that time.

Arming faculty members at schools is absolutely ludicrous. Hiring qualified armed security guards and placing them at strategic vantage points should be mandatory at schools across the U.S. Owning firearms shouldn't be a right, it should be a privilege.

Don Crotts

San Leandro

Moving toward total government control

Our president and followers are constantly referring to fair, balance and level playing field regarding our government's intentions.

This not only concerns income, but quality of life as well. Gone are the centrist Democrats called Truman or Blue Dogs. The new term for the liberals is progressives, who believe in government control of our quality of life.

For them, fair means everybody is entitled to the same. Balance means those healthy and of working age no longer are expected to take responsibility and initiative to provide for themselves. Level playing field means income redistribution of earned income by heavy taxation on those willing to work, succeed and prosper.

As to quality of life, this means central government control of housing, food, education, health care, religion, marriage, sexual preference with regimentation of manufacturing, distribution and finance.

For our government, entitlements and reparations besides taxation is their belief.

Look up the meaning of the word "fascism."

Emil Raffetto

Hayward

Oakland, Richmond show gun control fails

The paper is so proud of California's gun control law that an article about its virtues is found above the fold on the Jan. 31 front page.

Are you kidding me? The next article should be about extolling the virtues of how well it works, citing Oakland and Richmond as the poster children for this fine law. They have proved that it does not work.

If you outlaw all guns, only law-abiding citizens will give up their guns. Hitler and Stalin did it and you saw how well that turned out.

Leo Ohanesian

Brentwood

Drivers must be more careful, aware of cats

In one week, I have seen three dead cats lying in the roadway.

As a cat lover and rescuer, I found this to be heartbreaking. I also found it to be reprehensible.

Undoubtedly, these needless deaths were caused by inattentive and irresponsible drivers. I'd like to ask these careless and thoughtless individuals if that text you sent or the phone call you received was worth it.

Because of your selfishness and carelessness, someone's pet is not coming home tonight.

What if it was your child who was not coming home tonight? Think about it. Stop speeding and stay off the phone when you drive.